After missing mandatory minicamp for a trip to Egypt, Aaron Rodgers is present and on time for New York Jets training camp.
The Jets quarterback spoke to reporters on Wednesday for the first time since missing minicamp and revealed in a podcast interview on Monday that he missed a trip to Egypt. He explained on Wednesday that the situation was the product of a scheduling mix-up on his part.
“I originally scheduled it based on the previous year’s schedule, which had us out, I believe, on the 9th or 10th,” Rodgers said. “As soon as I saw the schedule, I started changing some things. It just didn’t happen.”
Aaron Rodgers was asked why he traveled to Egypt during the week of mandatory minicamp:
“I had a great conversation with Robert. Obviously he wanted me to be there. I knew the consequences if I wasn’t there. The reaction is what it is.” pic.twitter.com/ehcf6WhnWp
– Jet Videos (@snyjets) July 24, 2024
He reiterated that visiting Egypt was a “bucket list” trip, a statement he made on the “Pardon My Take” podcast on Monday.
“Back in the rehab crisis, I thought it would be fun to organize a trip with some friends,” Rodgers continued. “We wanted to plan this, more or less, in mid-June. I looked at last year’s schedule and felt I would be safe.”
The two-day minicamp that Rodgers missed in June is mandatory, according to the collective agreement. Rodgers downplayed its importance on Wednesday and compared it to voluntary OTAs.
“These are OTA days,” Rodgers said. “It turns out they’re labeled minicamp. It’s not the same as 2005 or 2010. The schedule is an OTA day. It’s labeled minicamp so you can get anyone who isn’t around to be there.”
Rodgers also confirmed that he was fined by the team. He refused to say how muchjust that it was “a little more” than $50,000.
Rodgers’ absence became a story when Jets coach Robert Saleh announced to reporters on June 11 that the absence was unexcused. Rodgers is entering his second season with the Jets after missing all but the opener of his first season in New York with a torn Achilles tendon.
Saleh said the next day that there were no problems between him and Rodgers and that the two are “exactly on the same page.”
“Aaron and I are on exactly the same page,” Saleh told reporters on June 12. “There is no problem between Aaron or his teammates. it’s inside. And that.”
Rodgers reiterated that point on Wednesday.
“I had a great conversation with Robert,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, he wanted me to be there. I knew the consequences if I wasn’t there. The reaction is what it is.”
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